Taurus KEPD 350 Cruise Missile

TAURUS KEPD 350 is a German/Swedish air-launched cruise missile, manufactured by TAURUS Systems and used by Germany and Spain. TAURUS Systems GmbH is a partnership between LFK (EADS/MBDA) and Saab Bofors Dynamics.

The TAURUS KEPD 350 missile incorporates stealth characteristics and has an official range in excess of 500 kilometres (300 mi). Taurus is powered by a turbofan engine at mach 0.8~0.9 and can be carried by the Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen and F/A-18 aircraft.

The double 500-kilogram (1,100 lb) warhead called Mephisto (Multi-Effect Penetrator, HIgh Sophisticated and Target Optimised) features a precharge and initial penetrating charge to clear soil or enter a bunker, then a variable delay fuse to control detonation of the main warhead. The missile weighs about 1,400 kg (3,100 lb) and has a maximum body diameter of 1 metre (3.3 ft). Intended targets are hardened bunkers, command, control and communications; airfield facilities; port facilities; AMS/ammunition storage; ships in ports/at sea and bridges.

The TAURUS KEPD 350 missile also includes counter measures as a self-defence mechanism.

Mission planners program the missile with the target, air defence locations and planned ground path, then the missile uses a low terrain-hugging flight path guided by INS, IBN, TRN and GPS to the proximity of the target, although it is capable of navigating over long distances without GPS support. Once there the missile commences a bunt (climb) manoeuver to an altitude intended to achieve the best probability of target acquisition and penetration. During the cruise flight a high resolution infra-red camera can support the navigation by using IBN and is also used for GPS-free target attack. The missile attempts to match a camera image with the planned 3D target model. If it cannot, it defaults to the other, navigation systems, or, if there is a high risk of collateral damage, it will steer to a pre-designated crash point instead of risking an inaccurate attack with undesired consequences.

MBDA Deutschland has also proposed an anti-ship variant.

TAURUS KEPD 350
Type	Long-range air-to-surface missile
Service history
In service	2005
Production history
Manufacturer	TAURUS Systems GmbH
Unit cost	950,000 EUR
Specifications
Weight	1400 kg
Length	5100 mm
Diameter	1080 mm
Warhead	500 kg, Mephisto (Multi-Effect Penetrator, HIgh Sophisticated and Target Optimised)
Engine	Williams P8300-15 Turbofan
Wingspan	2064 mm
Operational range	over 500 km
Flight altitude	30–40 m
Speed	Mach 0.80~0.95
Guidance system	IBN (Image Based Navigation), INS (Inertial Navigation System), TRN (Terrain Referenced Navigation) and MIL-GPS (Global Positioning System)
Launch platform	Typhoon, Tornado, Gripen, F/A-18